International Technidyne Corporation

Itc Incorporated

Robert F Cusack

Michael D Mintz

Ladislau Biro

Robert J Samo

Frank M LaDuca

A lancet device and associated method used for obtaining a blood sample from a patient. The lancet includes a safety housing adapted to be placed against some area of the patient's skin, such as a finger. A slotted aperture is formed through the safety housing in the region of the housing placed against the skin. An invertible spring member is disposed within the safety housing. The invertible spring member is a curved structure that automatically inverts into a generally oppositely curved orientation when the invertible spring member is flattened by a predetermined degree. The cutting blade used to make the incision is coupled to the invertible spring member within the safety housing. A manipulative element supports the invertible spring member and blade within the safety housing. The manipulative element is held at a set position in relation to the safety housing until a threshold force is applied to the manipulative element. Once the threshold force is applied, the manipulative element rapidly advances into the safety housing pushing the spring member and the blade against the wall of the safety housing that is positioned on the patient's skin. The blade extends through the slotted aperture in the safety housing and makes the desired incision. The spring member is then flattened in between the housing and the advancing manipulative element. Accordingly, the spring member is caused to change into its inverted configuration which retracts the blade permanently back into the safety housing.

Lancet device for creating a skin incision

There is disclosed apparatus for transporting a sample of body fluid such as blood from a first location to a remote test site location. The apparatus operates in conjunction with a fluid manifold module which has a first sample input port, a second washing fluid input port and a third input port for receiving air. There are tubes coupled to said first, second and third input ports which are coupled together and coupled to a sample output line which extends from the first location to the remote location. The manifold contains check valves with one valve for blood and one valve for washing fluid and a diaphragm pump for air. There are logic controls which selectively operate the valves and pump to allow the sample line to receive a sample separated by air barriers from washing fluid solution. In this manner, a predetermined volume of sample is transported from the first location to the remote test site location. At the test site location, the presence of sample is detected by detection sensors and the sample is directed to a test site. The remainder of materials such as the washing fluid and air are discharged at the remote location. The system includes flexible tubing and the fluids as present are pumped from the first location to the remote location by ways of a peristaltic pump or other pump in direct contact with the tubing.

Fluid sample collection and delivery system and methods particularly

A stopper assembly for a test tube or similar article comprised of an inner elastomeric stopper and an outer semi-rigid cap member that protects the inner elastomeric stopper and assists in the manual manipulation of the inner elastomeric stopper and provides enhanced visible color coding through the combination of colored stoppers and caps. The elastomeric stopper is dimensioned to fit within the open end of a test tube with an interference fit. The lower end of the elastomeric stopper has grooves disposed across its outer surface. When the lower end of the stopper is inserted into the open end of the test tube, gases are permitted to pass through the grooves, and the test tube is vented to its surrounding environment. The upper end of the elastomeric stopper does not include venting grooves. As such, when the upper end of the stopper is inserted into the open end of the test tube, a gas impervious seal is formed between the stopper and the test tube, thereby isolating the contents of the test tube from the surrounding environment.

Stopper apparatus for a test tube or similar article

A lancet device uses a planar blade that implements an incision in the skin of a patient using a slicing action. There is a blade support arm pivotably secured within a hollow housing. The pivot connection between the blade support arm and the housing is formed by a pivot pin which extends from the housing and is positioned in a slot receptacle formed on the blade support arm. The pivot pin is free to reciprocally move within the slot receptacle as the blade support arm pivot about the pivot pin. The rotation of the blade support arm about the pivot pin is implemented by a bias spring. The path traversed by the blade support arm as it pivots is controlled by a groove located on the interior surface of the housing which engages a projection that extends from the blade support arm. As such, when the support arm pivots from a first position to a second position, the projection on the blade support arm traverses the groove in the housing. The action of the projection of the blade support arm following the groove in the housing causes the slot receptacle on the blade support arm to reciprocate. Consequently, the blade is caused to reciprocate within the housing as it rotates with the blade support arm, wherein the blade exits the housing, implements an incision and is again retracted into the housing traversing a 'tear drop' shaped path.

Disposable slicing lancet assembly

An apparatus and method for performing a coagulation time test on a sample of blood wherein the blood is deposited in a fluid reservoir and disposable cuvette. Within the cuvette is formed a capillary conduit have at least one restricted region. The cuvette is inserted into a testing machine which engages the cuvette and draws blood from the fluid reservoir into the capillary conduit. The blood is then caused to reciprocally move within the capillary conduit whereby the blood is forced to traverse the restricted region. The testing machine measures the time required each time the blood is caused to traverse the restricted region. When a measured time is a predetermined percentage longer than an immediately preceding time, coagulation is considered to have occurred and the overall coagulation time is displayed to the operator.

Blood coagulation time test apparatus and method

A finger stick device for making a skin incision includes a blade pivot arm having a first end pivotally coupled to a housing and a second end having an upper sloped surface and a lower surface. A blade is affixed to the second end such that its cutting edge extends away from the lower surface. A resilient bias member when actuated traverses the upper surface and depresses the second end of the blade pivot arm, such that the blade exits the housing and incises the skin. The incising operation is complete upon the bias member traversing the sloped upper surface of the blade pivot arm. Also disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing the finger stick device, in which the bias member and blade pivot arm are molded as a monolithic unit. A blade is attached to the blade pivot arm, and the blade and monolithic unit are inserted into the housing. Further disclosed is an embodiment in which the housing is formed of two uniformly shaped halves, which when joined, provide an internal space for the monolithic unit. In this manner, the two halves are joined with the monolithic unit aligned therebetween so that the housing appears as an integral unit.

Method for manufacturing a disposable-retractable finger stick device

Disposable-retractable finger stick device

There is disclosed apparatus for transporting a sample of body fluid such as blood from a first location to a remote test site location. The apparatus operates in conjunction with a fluid manifold module which has a first sample input port, a second washing fluid input port and a third input port for receiving air. There are tubing means coupled to said first, second and third input ports which are coupled together and coupled to a sample output line which extends from the first location to the remote location. The manifold means contains check valves with one valve for blood and one valve for washing fluid and a diaphragm pump for air. There are logic means which selectively operate the valves and pump to allow the sample line to receive a sample separated by air barriers from washing fluid solution. In this manner, a predetermined volume of sample is transported from the first location to the remote test site location. At the test site location, the presence of sample is detected by detection means and the sample is directed to a test site. The remainder of materials such as the washing fluid and air are discharged at the remote location. The system includes flexible tubing and the fluids as present are pumped from the first locaiton to the remote location by means of a peristaltic pump or other pump in direct contact with the tubing.

Growing community of inventors

Edison, NJ, United States of America

Robert F Cusack